Colorado qualifies for extended unemployment benefits

The state Department of Labor and Employment said Coloradoans receiving unemployment benefits now qualify for up to 13 additional weeks of payments.

The news comes after Colorado narrowly missed the extension criteria during the last review a few weeks ago.

To qualify for an extension, states must reach a total three-month average unemployment rate greater than 6 percent. Colorado qualified based on a jump in unemployment filings from 5.8 percent in December 2008 to 6.6 percent in January and 7.2 percent in February. In El Paso County the current unemployment rate stands at 8.1 percent.

Business owners will not be charged for the extended benefits because the program is federally funded.

Our Poll

What's your reaction to the Regional Business Alliance hiring Dirk Draper as president and CEO?

Great news. He's an energetic leader and will represent the city well.

Unsure. He can mend fences with political leaders, but how about economic development?

Too late. The organization will need years to recover from its missteps.